EP1468426B1 - Air-cooled lamp, and article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp - Google Patents
Air-cooled lamp, and article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1468426B1 EP1468426B1 EP02799323.7A EP02799323A EP1468426B1 EP 1468426 B1 EP1468426 B1 EP 1468426B1 EP 02799323 A EP02799323 A EP 02799323A EP 1468426 B1 EP1468426 B1 EP 1468426B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- article
- lamp
- power
- cooled lamp
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
- F21V29/60—Cooling arrangements characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
- F21V29/67—Cooling arrangements characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air characterised by the arrangement of fans
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
- B29C71/04—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. for curing or vulcanising preformed articles
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B15/00—Machines or apparatus for drying objects with progressive movement; Machines or apparatus with progressive movement for drying batches of material in compact form
- F26B15/02—Machines or apparatus for drying objects with progressive movement; Machines or apparatus with progressive movement for drying batches of material in compact form with movement in the whole or part of a circle
- F26B15/08—Machines or apparatus for drying objects with progressive movement; Machines or apparatus with progressive movement for drying batches of material in compact form with movement in the whole or part of a circle in a vertical plane
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B3/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
- F26B3/28—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by radiation, e.g. from the sun
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/52—Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Means for circulating gas or vapour within the discharge space
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J65/00—Lamps without any electrode inside the vessel; Lamps with at least one main electrode outside the vessel
- H01J65/04—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels
- H01J65/042—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels by an external electromagnetic field
- H01J65/044—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels by an external electromagnetic field the field being produced by a separate microwave unit
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
- B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
- B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
- B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
- B29C2035/0827—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using UV radiation
Definitions
- the ultraviolet lamp is provided with cooling air a constant pressure, then during the high power portions of the duty cycle, the lamp temperature increases, while during the low power portions of the duty cycle, the temperature of the lamp decreases. It is necessary to maintain the lamp temperature within an operating range of about 700°C to about 1000°C, preferably 750°C to 950°C, since temperatures lower than that range can result in the lamp fills condensing, causing damage to the lamp, while temperatures in excess of the range can shorten the lamp life. To accommodate this, it is known to adjust the air pressure in proportion to the power provided to the ultraviolet lamp. See, for example, United States Patent No. 4,032,817 . However, in fact the cooling requirements are not proportional to the power provided to the ultraviolet lamp. Consequently, such systems can overcool the ultraviolet lamps.
- the present invention is a system for and method of controlling the cooling in a lamp system, as well as a system for and method of treating articles with a lamp system.
- An air-cooled lamp such as an electrodeless ultraviolet lamp, is provided with power, while an air blower blows air onto the air-cooled lamp to cool the lamp, and a blower driver is responsive to the power level of the power being provided to the air-cooled lamp.
- article conveyor 12 brings the treated article 10 to station 12d at which the treated article is removed from the article holder 14, as indicated in Figure 1 . Further rotation of article conveyor 12 then brings that article holder through stations 12e and 12f, and back to station 12a for receipt of another article 10.
- Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the cooling air pressure differentials required for satisfactory operation of lamp assembly 22.
- the horizontal axis represents percentage of the lamp's intended full power, while the vertical axis represent the relative air pressure differential across reflector 36 for satisfactory operation of lamp assembly 22.
- Curve 50 presents the maximum air pressure differential for satisfactory operation, while curve 52 presents the minimum air pressure differential.
- the air pressure differential For a lamp operating at any given percentage of full power, it is desired that the air pressure differential fall between the maximum and the minimum in order to maintain the temperature of lamp assembly 22 within the acceptable operating range.
- lamp assembly 22 is operating at 81% of full power, then the air pressure differential must fall between point 50a on curve 50 and point 52a on curve 52.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
- Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
- Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)
Description
- The present invention pertains to a system for and method of treating articles. Further, the present invention pertains to a lamp system usable in an article treating system and method. More particularly, the present invention pertains to controlling the cooling of an air-cooled lamp, such as an ultraviolet lamp, so as to optimize operation of the lamp.
- Lamps, and in particular ultraviolet lamps such as electrodeless ultraviolet lamps, are utilized in various manufacturing operations. By way of example, many materials are cured by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from electrodeless ultraviolet curing lamps. Such electrodeless lamps are energized by, for example, a magnetron which receives power from a power supply and generates microwaves that energize the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp. Such an ultraviolet lamp must not be allowed to become overheated, or the life of the lamp will be significantly shortened. In use in commercial operations, such as curing of materials that have been applied on products being manufactured, the lamps might be operated at a high power level. To avoid overheating of the lamps, cooling air is blown onto the lamps from a blower. If the lamps are continuously operated at their intended full-power level, cooling air at a high pressure is required. This results in a high energy requirement for the blower providing the cooling air.
- To avoid this, it is known to operate the lamps at a somewhat lower power level. While this enables adequate cooling to be provided with air at a lower pressure, it also reduces the efficiency of the curing process since the lamps emit less radiation at the lower power level. It is also known to operate the lamps with a duty cycle of, for example, four seconds on and one second off. High efficiency ultraviolet lamps use multiple element emitter type fills, such as mercury and iron halides. In normal operation such lamps might have a temperature in the range of from about 750°C to about 950°C, and these fills are in a gaseous state. If the ultraviolet lamp is shut off for any significant time, the fills may condense. In addition, if the lamp is turned off, then the ionized plasma extinguishes and the mercury vapor must be allowed to cool for a period of time, generally between fifteen seconds and two minutes, before the lamp can again be powered. This can significantly delay the process in which the lamps being used.
Additional problems which can result from such overcooling include unstable and erratic ultraviolet output levels, especially at 60% and lower power levels, delays in ultraviolet output response of three seconds or more when going from lower power to high power, spectral changes, resulting in shifting of the ultraviolet band, which can have a negative impact in some ultraviolet curing applications, bulb fill condensation, resulting in unwanted chemical reactions of some bulb fill additives with the ultraviolet lamp bulb, thereby reducing the bulb life, and excessive noisy and unnecessary cooling at power levels less than 100%. As a consequence, rather than turning such lamps off during their duty cycle, the lamps are usually powered at a low level, for example being provided with 2% to 50% of their intended full power. - If the ultraviolet lamp is provided with cooling air a constant pressure, then during the high power portions of the duty cycle, the lamp temperature increases, while during the low power portions of the duty cycle, the temperature of the lamp decreases. It is necessary to maintain the lamp temperature within an operating range of about 700°C to about 1000°C, preferably 750°C to 950°C, since temperatures lower than that range can result in the lamp fills condensing, causing damage to the lamp, while temperatures in excess of the range can shorten the lamp life. To accommodate this, it is known to adjust the air pressure in proportion to the power provided to the ultraviolet lamp. See, for example, United States Patent No.
4,032,817 . However, in fact the cooling requirements are not proportional to the power provided to the ultraviolet lamp. Consequently, such systems can overcool the ultraviolet lamps. -
WO87/02760 - The present invention is a system for and method of controlling the cooling in a lamp system, as well as a system for and method of treating articles with a lamp system. An air-cooled lamp such as an electrodeless ultraviolet lamp, is provided with power, while an air blower blows air onto the air-cooled lamp to cool the lamp, and a blower driver is responsive to the power level of the power being provided to the air-cooled lamp. The present invention is characterized in that said blower driver is suitable for driving said air blower at a speed blowing air onto the air-cooled lamp with an air pressure having a non-linear relationship with the power level such that the relationship is substantially exponential or is substantially defined by Ap= (P - P0)2, where Ap is the air pressure, P is the power level of the power being provided to the air-cooled lamp, and PQ is the power level that when provided to the air-cooled lamp requires no air to be blown by the air blower onto the air-cooled lamp, and in that the power supply provides power to said air-cooled lamp at at least a power level sufficient to maintain ionization of a bulb plasma within said air-cooled lamp. P0 amounts 5% of the air cooled lamp's intended full power level. Preferably, also, the cooling level is minimized as much as possible at all power levels, while not overheating the air-cooled lamp.
- These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are more apparent from the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
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Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an article treatment system in accordance with the present invention; -
Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the cooling air pressure requirement for a lamp system as a function of the power provided to the lamp, expressed as a percentage of the lamp's intended full-power level, in order to provide satisfactory lamp bulb cooling, in accordance with the present invention; -
Figure 3 is a graph illustrating an example of a duty cycle of a lamp; and -
Figure 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an article treatment system in accordance with the present invention. -
Figure 1 illustrates a number ofarticles 10 approaching, and then being conveyed on anarticle conveyor 12.Article conveyor 12 is provided with a number of article conveying stations, illustrated inFigure 1 asstations 12a-12f. Anarticle 10 is mounted on anarticle holder 14 atstation 12a.Machine controller 16 provides a start signal tomotor 18, causing the motor to drivearticle conveyor 12, for example by means of adrive belt 20, so that in the representative embodiment ofFigure 1 article conveyor 12 rotates in a clockwise direction, bringing eacharticle 10 in turn fromstation 12a throughstation 12b and to an article treating location atstation 12c. An air-cooledlamp assembly 22 is positioned to project radiation onto anarticle 10 when that article is atarticle treating location 12c. Arotation device 24 rotates counterclockwise in the embodiment ofFigure 1 to cause thearticle 10 atstation 12c to rotate clockwise about the axis ofarticle holder 14 so as to sequentially expose the entire side surface of thatarticle 10 to radiation fromlamp assembly 22. - A
power supply 26 provides power tolamp assembly 22, while ablower 28 provides cooling air to the lamp assembly. Blower 28 is controlled byblower driver 30, for example a variable frequency motor drive, with the speed ofblower 28 being proportional to the frequency of the motor drive output. - In the illustrative example of
Figure 1 ,lamp assembly 22 includes amagnetron 32 which receives power frompower supply 26 to generate microwaves, anelectrodeless ultraviolet bulb 34, and areflector 36. The microwave energy frommagnetron 32 energizesbulb 34, causing the bulb to emit ultraviolet radiation.Reflector 36 concentrates that radiation on thearticle 10 atarticle treating station 12c. High pressure air fromair blower 28 flows overmagnetron 32.Reflector 36 is provided with openings for passage of the air to permit the air to coolbulb 34. Since the end oflamp assembly 22 facingarticle treating location 12c is open, thearea surrounding bulb 34 is at substantially atmospheric pressure. Anair pressure gage 38 provides an indication of the pressure differential acrossreflector 36, and thus the air pressure withinlamp assembly 22. - Once the
article 10 is treated by the radiation atarticle treating station 12c, continued rotation ofarticle conveyor 12 brings the treatedarticle 10 tostation 12d at which the treated article is removed from thearticle holder 14, as indicated inFigure 1 . Further rotation ofarticle conveyor 12 then brings that article holder throughstations station 12a for receipt of anotherarticle 10. - A
sensor 40 is providedadjacent station 12f to detect the presence or absence of an article holder at that station. Because thestations 12a-12f are equally spaced about the circumference ofarticle conveyor 12, detection of the presence or absence of an article holder atstation 12f detects the presence or absence of an article at the article treating location ofstation 12c. The output fromsensor 40 is applied tomachine controller 16 and topower supply 26.Power supply 26 providesblower driver 30 with a signal indicating the level of the power supplied tolamp assembly 22. - In operation,
machine controller 16 actuates motor 18 to rotatearticle conveyor 12, bringing anarticle 10 to the article treating location atstation 12c. Whensensor 40 senses thearticle holder 14 atstation 12f, the sensor applies a signal tomachine controller 16 and topower supply 26, deactivatingmachine controller 16 so as to shut offmotor 18, and bringingpower supply 26 to its high power state, so as to causelamp assembly 22 to emit radiation at a level sufficient to effectively treat the article atstation 12c. Based on the signal frompower supply 26 indicating the level of the power being supplied tolamp assembly 22,blower driver 20 actuatesblower 28 at a speed to blow air at an appropriate pressure ontolamp assembly 22 to cool the lamp sufficiently to avoid overheating. - After a time sufficient to permit complete treatment of the
article 10 atarticle treating location 12c,machine controller 16 again actuatesmotor 18 to rotatearticle conveyor 12, advancing the treated article to station 12d for removal of the treated article fromarticle conveyor 12, and advancing thenext article 10 fromstation 12b to station 12c for treatment. Rotating article convey 12 is, of course, only one type of conveyor that might be utilized to convey articles to and then from an article treating station such asstation 12c. By way of example, an endless belt conveyor might be used.Machine controller 16, for example, might be an electronic switch and a timer to turn offmotor 18 in response to a presence-of-article signal fromsensor 40 and to turn the motor back on after sufficient time forrotation device 24 to have rotated the article being treated for full treatment. - Continuous operation of lamp assembly at full power for an extended time can result in overheating of the lamp unless sufficient air cooling is provided, having an air pressure around
magnetron 32 significantly greater than that withinreflector 36 aroundbulb 34. Continued operation ofblower 28 at a level providing such a high air pressure is uneconomical. It is common practice, therefore, to provide a lower level of power tolamp assembly 22 whensensor 40 senses the absence of articles atarticle treating location 12c and to slow the blower operation so as to decrease the air pressure proportionally. However, often that causes overcooling of the bulb, resulting in poor performance and damage to the bulb. -
Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the cooling air pressure differentials required for satisfactory operation oflamp assembly 22. The horizontal axis represents percentage of the lamp's intended full power, while the vertical axis represent the relative air pressure differential acrossreflector 36 for satisfactory operation oflamp assembly 22.Curve 50 presents the maximum air pressure differential for satisfactory operation, whilecurve 52 presents the minimum air pressure differential. For a lamp operating at any given percentage of full power, it is desired that the air pressure differential fall between the maximum and the minimum in order to maintain the temperature oflamp assembly 22 within the acceptable operating range. By way of illustration, iflamp assembly 22 is operating at 81% of full power, then the air pressure differential must fall betweenpoint 50a oncurve 50 andpoint 52a oncurve 52. -
Curves Figure 2 illustrates this as P0 = 25%. The reduced power level might be provided as continuous power at the reduced level, for example 80%. Alternatively, the power might be provided at the reduced level bycycling power supply 26 between a high power level and a low power level, the reduced provided power then being the average power provided over each cycle. -
Figure 3 illustrates a cycle typical of those that might be provided tolamp assembly 22. In the illustrative example ofFigure 3 , power is provided with a the duty cycle made up of alternatingintervals 60 of high power andintervals 62 of low power.Figure 3 illustrates thehigh power intervals 60 at 100% of intended full power with a duration in the order of four seconds and thelow power intervals 62 at 5% of full power with a duration in the order of one second, thus providing an 81% time- weighted average power level. For relatively short cycle times, for examplehigh power intervals 60 of not more than eight seconds withlow power intervals 62 of not more than two seconds,blower 28 can provide air at a continuous pressure betweenpoints Figure 2 . For longer cycle times,blower 28 can provide air at a pressure in the range between the 100% points oncurves high power intervals 60, while during thelow power intervals 62blower 28 can be stopped or slowed so that it results in an insignificant air pressure differential. In either case,lamp assembly 22 is maintained at at least a standby power level which is insufficient to causelamp assembly 22 to project radiation at a level effective in treating anarticle 10, but sufficient to maintain ionization of the bulb plasma and also to allow the bulb fill to remain in a vaporized state longer. - During cyclical operation, the
high power intervals 60 might provide power at a level substantially equal to the intended full-power level oflamp assembly 22, for example 2800 watts. Due to the advantageous effects of the cooling in accordance with the present invention, such a lamp assembly might instead be operated in a cycle having an ultra-high power level, in excess of the intended full-power level, for example a power level of 4200 watts. Nevertheless, the cyclical operation results in the average power level being lower, and with a cooling air pressure differential based on the average power level in accordance with the present invention, satisfactory cooling is obtained. -
Figure 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an article treatment system in accordance with the present invention. The system ofFigure 4 differs from that ofFigure 1 by omittingmachine controller 16 and by having asystem controller 42. The output ofsensor 40 is applied tosystem controller 42.System controller 42 provides start and stop signals tomotor 18 andpower supply 26a based on the signals fromsensor 40 which indicate the presence or absence of an article at article treating location12c. Power supply 26a provides power tolamp assembly 22 and providessystem controller 42 with a signal indicating the level of that power.System controller 42 provides a signal toblower driver 30 which causesblower 28 to provide air with a pressure differential to result in proper cooling oflamp assembly 22, based on the power level signal applied to the system controller bypower supply 26a. -
Lamp assembly 22 is generally provided with power at a constant voltage of, for example, 4000 volts, with a current that varies from 0.05 amps at its lowest power level to one amp at full power. The power level signal applied bypower supply 26 toblower driver 30 or applied bypower supply 26a tosystem controller 42 can be, for example, an analog signal varying as the average power supplied tolamp assembly 22 varies from 5% of full power to 100% of full power. By way of example, the signal might be a voltage which varies, say, from 0.5 volts to 10 volts as the lamp power varies from 5% to 100% of full power. Alternatively, it might be a current which varies from, say, 1 ma to 20 ma as the lamp power varies from 5% to 100% of full power. The speed ofblower 28 is generally directly proportional to the drive frequency fromblower driver 30. The air pressure resulting from operation ofblower 30 has a relationship to the blower speed that is approximately exponential or approximately given by P = (S - S0)2, where P is the pressure, S is the blower speed, and S0 is the blower speed at which P == P0. - Preferably,
blower driver 30 is a programmable variable frequency driver, such as an Allen Bradley Series 160 driver, that is programmed with the necessary parameters for the characteristics oflamp assembly 22 andblower 28, enabling the blower driver to automatically and rapidly provide the necessary drive frequency toblower 28. Likewise, in the embodiment ofFigure 4 , preferablysystem controller 42 is programmed to provide the necessary signals based on these same factors. - The present invention thus provides improved cooling of air-cooled lamps and improved treatment of articles. Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various substitutions, alterations, and rearrangements might be made, and still the result would be within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. By way of example, a lamp assembly with an electro ded bulb might be used. Likewise, a blower that is responsive to applied voltage, rather than the applied frequency might be utilized, together with a variable voltage motor driver.
Claims (21)
- A lamp system, comprising
an air-cooled lamp (22) responsive to application of electrical power thereto to emit radiation;
a power supply (26) for providing power to said air-cooled lamp (22);
an air blower (28) for blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) to cool said air-cooled lamp (22); and
a blower driver (30) responsive to the level of the power being provided to said air-cooled lamp (22) by said power supply (26),
characterized in that said blower driver (30) is suitable for driving said air blower (28) at a speed blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) with an air pressure having a non-linear relationship with the power level such that the non-linear relationship is substantially exponential or substantially defined by Ap = (P - P0)2, where Ap is air pressure, P is the power level of the power being provided to said air-cooled lamp (22), and P0 is the power level that when provided to said air-cooled lamp (22) requires no air to be blown onto said air-cooled lamp (22) by said air blower (28), and at which P0 amounts 5% of the air cooled lamp's (22) intended full power level. - A lamp system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lamp system further comprises a controller (42) for controlling the level of the power supplied by said power supply (26,26a).
- A lamp system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lamp system further comprises a controller (42) for causing said power supply to operate with a duty cycle between a high power level and a low power level.
- A lamp system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said blower driver (30) is suitable for driving said blower (28) with a duty cycle corresponding with the power supply duty cycle.
- A lamp system as claimed in claim 3, wherein:said controller is suitable for causing said power supply (26, 26a) to operate between the high power level and the low power level with a preset duty cycle having an average power level; andsaid blower driver (30) is responsive to the average power level of the power being provided to said air-cooled lamp (22) to drive said air blower (28) at a speed blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) with an air pressure having the non-linear relationship with the average power level.
- An article treatment system comprising a lamp system as claimed in claim 1 comprising:an article conveyor (12) for conveying a first article (10) to an article treating location (12c), maintaining the first article (10) at the article treating location (12c) for a preset time, conveying the first article (10) from the article treating location (12c), and conveying a second article to the article treating location (12c);a sensor (40) for sensing the presence or absence of an article (10) at the article treating location (12c); andthe power supply (26) responsive to said sensor sensing the presence of an article (10) at the article treating location (12c) for providing power to said air-cooled lamp (22) at a high power level, causing said air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation onto the article (10) at the article treating location (12c) at a radiation level sufficient to effectively treat the article.
- An article treatment system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said power supply (26, 26a) is further responsive to said sensor (40) sensing absence of an article (10) at the article treating location (12c) for providing power to said air-cooled lamp (22) at a low power level, insufficient to cause said air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation at a radiation level effective in treating the article (10).
- An article treatment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said blower driver (30) is suitable for driving said blower (28) at a speed blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) with a high pressure when the power supply (26, 26a) is providing the high power level and with a low pressure when the power supply (26, 26a) is providing the low power level.
- A system as claimed in claim 1, 3, or 6, wherein said power supply (26, 26a) provides said blower driver (30) with a control signal proportional to the level of power provided by said power supply (26, 26a) to said air-cooled lamp (22).
- A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control signal is a voltage signal.
- A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control signal is a current signal.
- A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said power supply (26, 26a) provides said lamp (22) with a constant voltage, and wherein the control signal is proportional to the level of current provided by said power supply (26, 26a) to said air-cooled lamp (22).
- Use of a lamp system as claimed in claim 1 in an article treatment system, comprising:an article conveyor (20) for conveying an article (10) to an article treating location (12c) and from the article treating location (12c);a sensor (40) for sensing the presence or absence of the article (10) at the article treating location (12c);the air-cooled lamp (22) responsive to application of electrical power thereto to emit radiation, said air-cooled lamp (22) having an intended full-power level;the power supply (26, 26a) for providing power to said air-cooled lamp (22), causing said air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation onto the article treating location (12c);the air blower (28);the blower driver (30) suitable for driving said air blower (28) to blow air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) to cool said air-cooled lamp (22); anda controller (42) responsive to said sensor (40) sensing the presence of the article (10) at the article treating location (12c) to actuate said power supply (26, 26a) to provide power to said air-cooled lamp (22) at a high power level, causing said air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation onto the article (10) at the article treating location (12c) at a radiation level sufficient to effectively treat the article (10), said controller (42) also responsive to said sensor (40) sensing absence of articles (10) at the article treating location (12c) to actuate said power supply (26, 26a) to provide power to said air-cooled lamp (22) at a low power level, insufficient to cause said air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation at a radiation level effective in treating the article but sufficient to maintain ionization of any bulb plasma within said air-cooled lamp (22) and to allow any bulb fill within said air-cooled lamp (22) to remain in a vaporization state longer, said controller (42) additionally responsive to said sensor (40) sensing the presence of the article (10) at the article treating location (12c) to allow a preset time to elapse and then to actuate said article conveyor (20) to convey the article (10) from the article treating location (12c), said controller (42) further responsive to the power level of the power being provided to said air-cooled lamp (22) by said power supply (26, 26a) to cause said blower driver (30) to drive said air blower (28) at a speed blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) with an air pressure having the non-linear relationship with the power level.
- Use of a lamp system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said controller (42) is suitable for causing said blower driver (30) to drive said blower (28) at a speed blowing air onto said air-cooled lamp (22) with a high pressure when the power supply (26, 26a) is providing the high power level and with a low pressure when the power supply (26, 26a) is providing the low power level.
- The invention as claimed in claim 6 or 13, wherein said air-cooled lamp (22) comprises an ultraviolet lamp.
- The invention as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ultraviolet lamp comprises an electrodeless lamp bulb (34).
- The invention as claimed in claim 6 or 13, wherein said air-cooled lamp (22) comprises an ultraviolet lamp bulb, and a magnetron for providing microwave energy to said ultraviolet lamp bulb.
- The invention as claimed in claim 1, 3, 6 or 13, wherein said blower driver (30) comprises a variable frequency motor driver.
- A method of cooling an air-cooled lamp (22), comprising:sensing the power level of power being provided to the air-cooled lamp (22); andblowing air onto the air-cooled lamp (22) with an air pressure having a non-linear relationship with the sensed power level,characterized in that the non-linear relationship is substantially exponential or substantially defined by Ap = (P - P0)2, where Ap is air pressure, P is the power level of the power being provided to said air-cooled lamp (22), and P0 is the power level that when provided to said air-cooled lamp (22) requires no air to be blown onto said air-cooled lamp (22) by said air blower (28), andin that the power supply (26, 26a) provides power to said air-cooled lamp (22) at at least a power level sufficient to maintain ionization of a bulb plasma within said air-cooled lamp (22).
- A method as claimed in claim 19 which air-cooled lamp (22) being applied for treating an article (10), comprising:sensing the presence or absence of the article (10) at an article treating location (12c);in response to the sensing of the presence of the article (10) at the article treating location (12c), providing power to the air-cooled lamp (22) at a high power level, causing the air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation onto the article (10) at the article treating location (12c) at a radiation level sufficient to effectively treat the article (10);in response to sensing of the absence of the article (10) at the article treating location (12c), providing power to the air-cooled lamp (22) at a low power level insufficient to cause the air-cooled lamp (22) to project radiation at a radiation level effective in treating the article (10) but sufficient to maintain ionization of any bulb plasma within said air-cooled lamp (22) and to allow any bulb fill within said air-cooled lamp (22) to remain in a vaporization state longer; andblowing air onto the air-cooled lamp (22) with an air pressure having the non-linear relationship with the power level.
- A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the air is blown onto the air-cooled lamp (22) with a high air pressure when the power supply (26, 26a) is providing the high power level and with a low air pressure when the power supply is providing the low power level.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/029,975 US6740892B2 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2001-12-31 | Air-cooled lamp, and article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp |
US29975 | 2001-12-31 | ||
PCT/US2002/041568 WO2003058665A2 (en) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-12-27 | Air-cooled lamp, and article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1468426A2 EP1468426A2 (en) | 2004-10-20 |
EP1468426A4 EP1468426A4 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
EP1468426B1 true EP1468426B1 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
Family
ID=21851867
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP02799323.7A Expired - Lifetime EP1468426B1 (en) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-12-27 | Air-cooled lamp, and article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6740892B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1468426B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005515083A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1288692C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002364246A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003058665A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7638780B2 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2009-12-29 | Eastman Kodak Company | UV cure equipment with combined light path |
DE102006027788A1 (en) | 2006-06-16 | 2007-12-20 | Braun Gmbh | Method of local heating of objects |
JP2009289527A (en) * | 2008-05-28 | 2009-12-10 | Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp | Ultraviolet ray irradiation device |
US20130062535A1 (en) * | 2010-05-31 | 2013-03-14 | Megagen Implant Co. Ltd. | Surface-processing device for a dental implant |
DE112015002044T5 (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2017-03-09 | Nordson Corporation | Microwave powered lamp with optimized cooling for different bulb chemistries |
Family Cites Families (18)
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US4032817A (en) | 1974-12-12 | 1977-06-28 | Harris Corporation | Wide range power control for electric discharge lamp and press using the same |
US4033263A (en) | 1974-12-12 | 1977-07-05 | Harris Corporation | Wide range power control for electric discharge lamp and press using the same |
US4033262A (en) * | 1976-03-18 | 1977-07-05 | Veb Polygraph Leipzig Kombinat Fur Polygraphische Maschinen Und Ausrustungen | Ink applicator for printing apparatus |
JPS55108479A (en) | 1979-02-08 | 1980-08-20 | American Can Co | Ultraviolet ray hardening ink and ink film hardening device |
US4503086A (en) | 1983-08-22 | 1985-03-05 | Adolph Coors Company | Device and method for uniformly curing uv photoreactive overvarnish layers |
JPS61146122A (en) * | 1984-12-19 | 1986-07-03 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Illumination apparatus for growing plant |
US4698767A (en) * | 1985-08-14 | 1987-10-06 | Electro Sprayer Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling infrared dryer for discreet articles |
US4665627A (en) * | 1985-11-01 | 1987-05-19 | Research, Incorporated | Dry film curing machine with ultraviolet lamp controls |
US5003185A (en) * | 1988-11-17 | 1991-03-26 | Burgio Joseph T Jr | System and method for photochemically curing a coating on a substrate |
US5057747A (en) * | 1988-11-21 | 1991-10-15 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Arc lamp stabilization |
JPH02189805A (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1990-07-25 | Ushio Inc | Microwave excitation type electrodeless light emitting device |
GB9116120D0 (en) * | 1991-07-25 | 1991-09-11 | G E W Ec Ltd | U.v.dryers |
JPH0531735A (en) * | 1991-08-02 | 1993-02-09 | Canon Inc | Apparatus for molding optical element |
US5588830A (en) * | 1995-01-13 | 1996-12-31 | Abb Paint Finishing, Inc. | Combined radiant and convection heating oven |
US5838114A (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 1998-11-17 | Fusion Systems Corporation | Plural ferro-resonant power supplies for powering a magnetron where the aray lies in these power supplies being independent from each other and not utilizing any common components |
US5858040A (en) * | 1997-03-28 | 1999-01-12 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa | Filling machine having a microfiltrated clean air supply system |
US5904960A (en) | 1997-10-29 | 1999-05-18 | Cryovac, Inc. | Method and apparatus for treating an article containing an oxidizable organic compound |
JP3850550B2 (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 2006-11-29 | 岩崎電気株式会社 | Projection device using short arc lamp lighting device |
-
2001
- 2001-12-31 US US10/029,975 patent/US6740892B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-12-27 CN CNB028283953A patent/CN1288692C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-12-27 JP JP2003558885A patent/JP2005515083A/en active Pending
- 2002-12-27 AU AU2002364246A patent/AU2002364246A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-12-27 WO PCT/US2002/041568 patent/WO2003058665A2/en active Application Filing
- 2002-12-27 EP EP02799323.7A patent/EP1468426B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1468426A2 (en) | 2004-10-20 |
WO2003058665A2 (en) | 2003-07-17 |
AU2002364246A8 (en) | 2003-07-24 |
EP1468426A4 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
CN1623207A (en) | 2005-06-01 |
WO2003058665A3 (en) | 2004-02-19 |
AU2002364246A1 (en) | 2003-07-24 |
US6740892B2 (en) | 2004-05-25 |
CN1288692C (en) | 2006-12-06 |
US20030094904A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
JP2005515083A (en) | 2005-05-26 |
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